Dr. Danielle Tester DNP, FNP-BC
November 3, 1982 ~ October 20, 2023 (age 40) 40 Years Old
Tribute
The world lost a very special woman. Danielle Marie Tester went to be with the Lord on the morning of Friday, October 20, 2023.
Danielle was born on November 3, 1982, in Germany to parents Johnny Duke Ledger & Janell Joyce Johnson.
Danielle was raised in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and spent her teenage and young adult years in Hillsville, VA. Following high school, she graduated with a RN degree from Wytheville Community College. In 2013, while working full-time, she graduated with honors in the Bachelor of Nursing Program from the University of Phoenix. In 2019 Danielle started the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program at Liberty University to fulfill her dream of becoming a Nurse Practitioner. In February 2022 Danielle was diagnosed with a rare esophageal cancer. Despite the incredible challenge of chemotherapy and radiation she was not deterred from completing her DNP FNP-BC and received her Doctorate on October 12, 2022. Danielle was a dedicated emergency room nurse from 2004 to 2022. During her career, she was active in mentoring many nurses as a Clinical Team Leader at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Danielle had a gift for being a leader in trauma situations and helped to save many lives.
Despite all of the many incredible career accomplishments, in 2017 Danielle accomplished her biggest dream by becoming a mother. Danielle and Lucy’s bond was amazing and it was the reason she survived cancer as long as she did. She would have endured anything to have more time with her daughter and survived longer than the doctor’s ever expected because of a mother’s love for her child.
Danielle was preceded in death by her grandmothers Patricia “Gerdy” Johnson and Gwynelle Ledger; grandmother-in-law June White, grandfather Johnny Ledger; father-in-law David Tester; and uncles Lee Adle and Emmitt “Scott” Paulette.
Danielle is survived by the loves of her life, her husband Mike Tester of 19 years and her daughter Lucy Grace; her mother Janell Johnson Ledger, father Johnny Ledger; her sisters, Cari Vass (Joseph), Samantha Zinn (Chad), and Olivia Ledger; sister-in-law Christian Petherbridge; brother-in-law Quinton Williamson; mother-in-law Debbie White; Honorary Mom Tanya “TT” Paulette; nieces and nephews, Chloi, Heidi, and Izaak Vass, Thomas Petherbridge, Claire and Emma Danielle Treasure; and other grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and many caring friends.
A Celebration of Danielle’s life will be held Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 11:00 am at Fellowship Community Church, 1226 Red Lane Ext, Salem, Virginia 24153 with Pastor Ken Nienke officiating. The family will receive friends at 10:00 am before the service.
***One of Danielle’s wishes for the service was for anyone who would like to participate to wear some sort of pink. ***
The family would like to thank her oncologist Dr. Vile and the staff of Blue Ridge Cancer Care; all the staff in the Emergency Room at Roanoke Memorial Hospital; and her family at First Baptist Child Development Center and King’s Christian Academy.
In lieu of flowers, and to honor Danielle, Mike has opened up a college fund for Lucy and donations may be sent to: 4641 Trevino Dr NE, Roanoke, VA 24019.
Danielle was born on November 3, 1982, in Germany to parents Johnny Duke Ledger & Janell Joyce Johnson.
Danielle was raised in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and spent her teenage and young adult years in Hillsville, VA. Following high school, she graduated with a RN degree from Wytheville Community College. In 2013, while working full-time, she graduated with honors in the Bachelor of Nursing Program from the University of Phoenix. In 2019 Danielle started the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program at Liberty University to fulfill her dream of becoming a Nurse Practitioner. In February 2022 Danielle was diagnosed with a rare esophageal cancer. Despite the incredible challenge of chemotherapy and radiation she was not deterred from completing her DNP FNP-BC and received her Doctorate on October 12, 2022. Danielle was a dedicated emergency room nurse from 2004 to 2022. During her career, she was active in mentoring many nurses as a Clinical Team Leader at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Danielle had a gift for being a leader in trauma situations and helped to save many lives.
Despite all of the many incredible career accomplishments, in 2017 Danielle accomplished her biggest dream by becoming a mother. Danielle and Lucy’s bond was amazing and it was the reason she survived cancer as long as she did. She would have endured anything to have more time with her daughter and survived longer than the doctor’s ever expected because of a mother’s love for her child.
Danielle was preceded in death by her grandmothers Patricia “Gerdy” Johnson and Gwynelle Ledger; grandmother-in-law June White, grandfather Johnny Ledger; father-in-law David Tester; and uncles Lee Adle and Emmitt “Scott” Paulette.
Danielle is survived by the loves of her life, her husband Mike Tester of 19 years and her daughter Lucy Grace; her mother Janell Johnson Ledger, father Johnny Ledger; her sisters, Cari Vass (Joseph), Samantha Zinn (Chad), and Olivia Ledger; sister-in-law Christian Petherbridge; brother-in-law Quinton Williamson; mother-in-law Debbie White; Honorary Mom Tanya “TT” Paulette; nieces and nephews, Chloi, Heidi, and Izaak Vass, Thomas Petherbridge, Claire and Emma Danielle Treasure; and other grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and many caring friends.
A Celebration of Danielle’s life will be held Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 11:00 am at Fellowship Community Church, 1226 Red Lane Ext, Salem, Virginia 24153 with Pastor Ken Nienke officiating. The family will receive friends at 10:00 am before the service.
***One of Danielle’s wishes for the service was for anyone who would like to participate to wear some sort of pink. ***
The family would like to thank her oncologist Dr. Vile and the staff of Blue Ridge Cancer Care; all the staff in the Emergency Room at Roanoke Memorial Hospital; and her family at First Baptist Child Development Center and King’s Christian Academy.
In lieu of flowers, and to honor Danielle, Mike has opened up a college fund for Lucy and donations may be sent to: 4641 Trevino Dr NE, Roanoke, VA 24019.
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